News & Announcements

Enhanced-Performance PI-MTE In-Vacuum X-ray Cameras

As the smallest commercially available scientific cameras engineered for in-vacuum use, the PI-MTE series provides all of the advanced features and functions needed to tackle demanding soft x-ray spectroscopy and imaging applications, including x-ray microscopy, x-ray plasma diagnostics, coherent x-ray diffraction imaging, EUV lithography, and x-ray holography.

Every PI-MTE delivers highly flexible multiple-speed readout capabilities and allows researchers to optimize Princeton Instruments’ renowned ultra-low-noise and wide-dynamic-range performance for their specific soft x-ray applications. These thermoelectrically cooled cameras, which can support CCDs that offer spatial resolution of up to 4 megapixels, are utilized at labs and synchrotrons worldwide.

“We are the only camera manufacturer to design thermoelectrically cooled scientific in-vacuum cameras,” explains Manjul Shah, Princeton Instruments’ application specialist for imaging and x-ray products. “One of the challenges associated with thermoelectrically cooling a scientific in-vacuum camera is the extraction of the immense amount of heat generated by the CCD and electronics, which could usually be removed by a built-in fan using forced air. The unique liquid-cooling design of our PI-MTE cameras overcomes this obstacle by cooling the detector to –55°C, virtually eliminating dark charge generated by the CCD.”

PI-MTE systems utilize an industry-standard USB 2.0 data interface to enable seamless camera operation with the latest laptop and desktop computers. For long-distance operation (up to 1000 meters), a fiberoptic communication kit is also available. Integration of the PI-MTE with other instruments is easy via use of the TTL signals from the ST-133 controller and National Instruments’ LabVIEW® drivers.